What end date should I put for current employment as I am still in post?

You should put an end date of August 2018 as the STP starts in September 2018.

The application asks for 3 referees over the past 2 years, however I have been in the same post for the past 3 years or more. Can I use a supervisor or referee from my Masters course?

Yes, supervisory/trainer referees can be included for references.

Since completing my application I have received automated notifications informing me about preferences (specialisms) that I did not apply for. How will this affect my application?

When there are changes to any specialism the system will notify all applicants, even if this particular specialism is not one of your chosen preferences. This will not affect your application and there is no action necessary, as it is just for update purposes.

What is the recruitment process?

All applicants (direct and in service) will answer a series of questions and complete aptitude tests that will ascertain their suitability to progress to the application stage. Those candidates who pass the online aptitude tests will progress to the next stage of the recruitment process. Direct entry applicants who successfully submit an application and pass the online tests will be considered for shortlisting and will be notified of the outcome via email or text. In service applicants will not be subject to shortlisting and will progress to interview following successful completion of their online tests.

Interviews will be held on a national basis and allocations to posts will be offered as soon as possible after all interviews have been completed. Key dates are available on the School website.

What do I need to be eligible for the STP?

You must have an honours degree (1st or 2:1) in a pure or applied science area relevant to the specialism you are interested in, to be eligible for the STP. Make sure that you review the job description and person specification to ensure you match the skills and knowledge required for the specialism you wish to apply for. Further information is available on entry requirements and degree relevance in our entry requirements section.

How should I complete the online aptitude tests?

All applicants (direct and in service) must submit their application online via Oriel. You must then complete a numerical and logical reasoning test online once your application has been submitted. There is a minimum pass mark for each online test. If you do not meet this benchmark, your application will not proceed further. Meeting this minimum pass mark does not guarantee that you will be shortlisted for the interview stage.

What can I expect at my interview?

Your interviews will take place on a circuit of four 'stations'. Each station will last 10 minutes and you will be asked four questions at each interview. You will have a two minute rest between each station and will move around the circuit until all four stations have been completed; watch what happens in our short video below. Watch our video showing you what will happen when you come for an interview.

Click on the tabs below for further information about the Scientist Training Programme.

Are there STP opportunities in Wales?

Recruitment to the Scientist Training Programme in Wales is being managed and coordinated by Wales. Please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., (Education and Contracting Manager, Shared Services Partnership, Workforce, Education and Development Services) for further information.

Can I attend open days to find out more about the training?

Yes; some employers and departments hold open days that give you a good opportunity to find out more about the scientist roles you are interested in.

How long does the training programme last?

The STP is a three year, full time, work place based training programme during which participants also study part time for a master’s in clinical science.

Which universities offer the accredited master's programme?

The university providers will be confirmed once recruitment to the 2018 intake commences, early next year.

How much academic input will there be included in the programme?

The STP is approximately two thirds work based training and one third academic training. While in the workplace we recommend that 80% of your time is spent on work based training and 20% of your time is spent on academic work.

Will I have to contribute to the academic tuition fees?

No; the tuition fees for the academic part of the training programme is fully funded.

Is there any additional financial support available, other than the salary?

Funding to support travel and accommodation at university or other events may be available. However such funding is at the discretion of the employer and may be subject to local availability. You should contact the relevant department or Health Education England Local Team for further advice.

Are current healthcare employees eligible for the programme?

If I have previously applied to the STP can I apply again?

Yes you can, however if you have previously relinquished or been removed from the programme you must state this in your application. This will be reviewed and a decision will be made on whether your application can proceed. This may involve discussions with other key stakeholders for example the Higher Education Institution (HEI); you will be contacted for consent should further information be required.

Is the programme looking to recruit new or more experienced graduates?

The national shortlisting panels will judge which applicants closely match the person specification. The focus is on whether an applicant has the required skills, knowledge and experience and this could have been gained in a number of different ways. Successful applicants might have a variety of relevant qualifications, experience and potential, and in the past the cohort of successful applicants has included both new graduates and those with more experience.

Is there an age limit for the programme?

No there is not an age limit for the STP.

Is the training programme right for me?

The STP offers a fantastic opportunity for people who are looking for a fulfilling career in healthcare science. It is important that you consider your application to the programme carefully. You must be committed to a career in healthcare science and to providing high quality scientific services to patients and the public. Entry onto the programme is extremely competitive and therefore you should be prepared to be measured on your commitment to the programme and on your understanding of the expectations placed on Scientist trainees as part of the selection processes.

What scientific specialism should I apply for?

Your chosen specialism should be relevant to your choice of future career and your academic qualifications. Read more about the individual specialisms at the Health Careers website and the curricula at the Curriculum Library.

What kinds of people get a place on the STP?

A range of people have been successful in being appointed to the STP. In addition to high standards of scientific ability, what they have in common is an enthusiasm for science, aspirations to be leaders in healthcare science and a focus on delivering high quality and compassionate care for patients. Above all else our successful applicants demonstrate the right values and behaviours integral to providing safe and effective healthcare science services to patients and the public.

How much travel is involved in the STP?

You may have to travel to other training centres to fulfil parts of the programme (rotations). These could be in different parts of the country and you may have to spend weeks at a time there. Whether you have to travel to complete your rotations will depend on the specialism and whether your host employer has the facilities to provide all the training aspects.

You will also have to travel to the university to complete the master’s degree. The amount of travel involved for this will depend on the university and course you attend.

How much will I be paid during the training programme?

Starting salaries will be Agenda for Change Band 6. Funding for any additional expenses is entirely a local decision and should be discussed and agreed with the commissioner and managed by the employer. We strongly urge that applicants contact any potential employers regarding additional expenses early on in the process to ensure that they are able to make an informed decision when choosing their choice(s) of specialism(s) and location/employer(s).

When I have graduated from the STP will I have a recognised international qualification?

Master's degrees from a Higher Education Institute are recognised academic qualifications under the European Qualifications Framework and is a component part of the award made on successful completion of the STP.

Am I guaranteed a job at the end of my training?

There is no guarantee of employment on completion of the programme. However, you will be eligible to apply for any suitable clinical scientist posts once you have obtained registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). If you are an in service trainee, your ongoing employment continues as normal.

What type of job might I expect to obtain at the end of my training?

There are a wide range of clinical scientist roles to choose from within any chosen specialism. Your experiences on the STP will help you decide what type of scientific job you may wish to apply for upon completing your training.

Can I obtain professional registration by completing the STP?

You will be eligible to apply for registration with the Health Care Professions Council (HCPC) on completion of the STP and on award of the Certificate of Attainment by the Academy for Healthcare Science (AHCS).

After completing some of the more recent STP specialisms, you are able to apply for an AHCS Certificate of Equivalence. The Award of the Certificate of Equivalence will also make you eligible to apply to the HCPC for registration as a clinical scientist. More information is available about the Academy's certificates.

Are there STP opportunities available in Scotland and Northern Ireland?

Yes; there are separate training schemes available in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

What is the recruitment process?

All applicants (direct and in service) will answer a series of questions and complete aptitude tests that will ascertain their suitability to progress to the application stage. Those candidates who pass the online aptitude tests will progress to the next stage of the recruitment process. Direct entry applicants who successfully submit an application and pass the online tests will be considered for shortlisting and will be notified of the outcome via email or text. In service applicants will not be subject to shortlisting and will progress to interview following successful completion of their online tests.

Interviews will be held on a national basis and allocations to posts will be offered as soon as possible after all interviews have been completed. Key dates are available on the School website.

Is the training programme very competitive?

Yes, we receive many more applications than there are places. Therefore you must be fully committed to the STP and its highly competitive and demanding application process.

How do I apply to the STP?

To apply to the STP please register on Oriel, the online application system. Once you have registered on Oriel you can search on 'Scientist Training Programme' in the vacancies menu, select the appropriate vacancy and click 'To apply'. Make sure you select the correct vacancy as their will be two vacancies displayed; one for direct entry and one for in-service. If you are an in-service applicant you will need a code from your employer in order to complete your application.

How many posts can I apply for?

Direct entry applicants can only apply for one vacancy. In service applicants can apply for the in service vacancy that is supported by their employer, at their current location and they can also apply for a direct entry vacancy.

How do I register on Oriel?

To register on Oriel please click on account registration. This will create a user account from which you can make your application.

What end date should I put for current employment as I am still in post?

You should put an end date of August 2018 as the STP starts in September 2018.

The application asks for 3 referees over the past 2 years, however I have been in the same post for the past 3 years or more. Can I use a supervisor or referee from my Masters course?

Yes, supervisory/trainer referees can be included for references.

How should I complete the online aptitude tests?

The online aptitude tests will assess your numerical and logical reasoning abilities. You can sit some practice tests at www.trytalentq.com before completing your final tests in Oriel. You will find your online tests in the 'My applications' section in Oriel. Before you begin your final tests there is a practice session; once you leave this practice session your timed final tests will begin. Once you start your final test you cannot stop part way through or go back to the beginning. Do not click the back button or refresh the page during your tests as this will result in no marks being awarded.

Will it help my application if I have some work experience in a healthcare setting?

Yes, but it is not an essential requirement. However during the interviews prior knowledge of healthcare services may be an advantage. It is advisable to demonstrate you have researched the role e.g. by attending open days and doing work experience relevant to the job description, person specification and specialism.

If I am successful and the post has been advertised as unspecified or there is more than one training route, (applicable to some Medical Physics/Clinical Engineering and Cardiac Science posts) can I choose the specialism that I would prefer to train in?

Whilst successful applicants may be consulted on their choice of specialism for these posts with the relevant employer, there is no guarantee that they will be able to train in their preferred area as there may be workforce needs in a particular area and we are recruiting to fulfil the future workforce requirement.

Applicants who preference unspecified posts should be willing to train in any of the specialisms within that theme or area and should refer to the learning guides for further information on the training.

Applicants should ensure they refer to the list of posts advertised to identify which posts this may apply to and are advised to contact their preferred centre before the offers window closes to get further information on options available for the choice of specialism.

Where will I be trained?

You can express a preference for the specialism(s) you wish to train in in rank order (up to a maximum of 2 specialisms) during your application. If you are invited to interview you will then be asked to choose up to as many locations/employers as there are available in those specialisms in rank order.

As far as possible, successful direct entry applicants will be matched to posts based on the choice of specialisms identified in their application form and the choices of locations/employers chosen later in the application process.

Please note that by indicating a preferred location, you are agreeing to be based anywhere in that region and the clinical rotations in the first year may not necessarily all be available in the same region that you have applied. In accepting a post you should therefore be willing and able to travel in order to undertake the training. You should also note that in accepting an offer of training you will be committing to being based with that employer for the full 3 years.

Since completing my application I have received automated notifications informing me about preferences (specialisms) that I did not apply for. How will this affect my application?

When there are changes to any specialism the system will notify all applicants, even if this particular specialism is not one of your chosen preferences. This will not affect your application and there is no action necessary, as it is just for update purposes.

What do I need to be eligible for the STP?

You must have an honours degree (1st or 2.1) or equivalent in a pure or applied science, relevant to the specialism for which you are applying. Applicants with a relevant 2.2 degree will also be considered if they have a higher/postgraduate degree in the specialism for which you are applying. Medical degrees can be accepted for Life and Physiological Science specialisms ONLY. Make sure that you review the job description and person specification to ensure you match the skills and knowledge required for the specialism you wish to apply for. Further information is available on entry requirements and degree relevance in our entry requirements section.

What level of English language competency is required?

It is essential that you have the communication skills to enable you to perform the role effectively. You must also be able to demonstrate that you can achieve the standards set for clinical scientists by the Health and Care Professions Council. Please refer to the entry requirements information for further details.

What is a relevant degree?

Due to the extensive variation in degrees available, it is not possible to provide a definitive list of relevant degrees for entry to the STP. You must ensure you review the job description and person specification for the training, and the information about your preferred healthcare science specialism on the Health Careers website. More information about relevant degrees is in the entry requirements section.

If I am graduating in this academic year, am I eligible to apply for the training posts?

You are required to have obtained your degree prior to the start date of the training programme. This includes applicants with a 2.2 BSc who are currently studying for a higher degree. If you apply based on a predicted grade and are not successful in achieving that grade, you will no longer meet the minimum entry criteria for the programme and your offer will be withdrawn. You must notify the School of your final result via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. no later than 5 days from receiving the university notification and before the training start date.

If I have already obtained an MSc in a healthcare science specialism, will I be exempt from the MSc component of the STP?

If you wish to apply for the STP you should be prepared to undertake the full academic and work based components of the scheme. However if you would like your existing qualifications to be considered as credit against parts of the academic STP master’s degree, this process of Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL) is determined on a case by case basis within universities. General information about this process is available from any university website.

If I already have significant relevant work experience can I be exempt from elements of the work based learning?

If you wish to apply for the STP you should be prepared to undertake the full academic and work based components of the scheme.

What is the shortlisting process?

Shortlisting will be carried out on a national basis by appropriately qualified professional panels who will be representative of employers, professional bodies and HEIs delivering the MSc programmes. Panel members will shortlist against agreed criteria, based on the skills, knowledge and values required for the training scheme, and will score applications independently. Scores will be ranked and those individuals with the highest scores will be invited to interview. Please refer to the interviews information for further details.

How can I find out about the progress of my application?

If you are invited to the next stage, you will receive your invitation via email and/or text. You can also log into the online application system at any point of the application process to view the status of your application.

If I have applied to several specialisms will I have to attend multiple interviews?

Yes; if you have applied to multiple specialisms and are shortlisted for more than one you will be required to attend multiple interviews which may be on different days.

If I have applied to one specialism but have identified multiple locations, will I have to attend multiple interviews?

No; if shortlisted you will only be interviewed once.

If I am an in service/internal applicant, will I still have to attend an interview?

Yes you will be required to attend an interview.

How many applicants will be shortlisted for each post?

Usually three times as many applicants will be shortlisted as commissioned training posts. However ratios may be increased for some specialisms dependent on number of applications received in order to maximise the opportunity for all available posts to be filled to meet workforce demand. A reserve list of applicants will be identified equal to the number of commissions agreed for that specialism or theme which will be drawn upon if first choice applicants do not confirm their interview place, or subsequently withdraw from the process.

Who will inform me if I have been shortlisted?

The School will inform you on the outcome of your application and whether you have been shortlisted. You will be provided with the dates of the interviews for the specialism/theme you have applied for. Please respond to your invitation to interview within five working days and confirm your place. You will then be able to choose and book your interview time online.

If I am not able to attend an interview on the date allocated to me, will I be offered an alternative date?

No; due to the large numbers of applicants being interviewed we are not able to offer any flexibility on your interview date. We will publish the interview dates for each specialism/theme as early as possible.

What is the Guaranteed Interview Scheme (GIS) and how do I apply through it?

The GIS is a commitment to guarantee an interview to anyone with a disability who meets the minimum criteria. If you wish to apply under the GIS please tick 'yes' on your online application in answer to the GIS question. You must then provide further information and appropriate evidence to the This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by the published deadline. There is no obligation for a disabled applicant to apply under the GIS.

Will I be reimbursed travel costs when attending an interview?

No; the School does not reimburse travel costs.

What can I expect at my interview?

Your interviews will take place on a circuit of four 'stations'. Each station will last 10 minutes and you will be asked four questions at each interview. You will have a two minute rest between each station and will move around the circuit until all four stations have been completed; watch what happens in our short video below. Watch our video showing you what will happen when you come for an interview.